UPSCALE GARAGES

Garages are turning into much more than the unsightly, utilitarian place to store cars and lawnmowers. They are becoming the final frontier of the organized home, the new luxury space to be remodeled into a warm and inviting room.

15% of new homes have a garage large enough for 3 cars or more. As a result, garages are highly visible, often accounting for more than 40% of a home’s exterior face. We most often come and go from our house through the garage doors, and when the overhead door is up, people instinctively come through it to knock on our door, making the garage – rather than the front door – the gateway to our home.

This explains why the garage is graduating from the largest, most underutilized “room” in the house to a highly flexible space available for multiple activities. By adding insulation, HVAC, plumbing and task lighting, the garage is a room with endless possibilities. Changes include:

Innovations in overhead door design can bring a pleasing, coordinated look to what makes up a large portion of your home’s front façade.

Using ceiling space for overhead storage is a smart way to gain square footage.

Unused ceiling space can also be turned into a loft area. Endless possibilities for this “bonus room” include a lady’s hobby and craft room, a guy’s hangout room with TV and stereo or an exercise area for the whole family.

The traditional workbench area can expand into an intricately organized system with extensive options for configuration and cabinet finishes.

Along with painting or paneling the walls, flooring changes the look and feel of a garage. Advanced floor coatings and coverings make for easy clean up to avoid tracking dirt into the home.

And let’s not forget that the garage still remains the domain of the car. For those who work on their vehicles, installing lights in the floor is the ultimate luxury.

Another useful item is the motorized lift, making home car repairs and oil changes a breeze.

To house multiple vehicles, increasing the depth of your garage is an option, as well as overhead platforms which use vertical space to gain extra space.

Other ideas for remodeling your garage into a multi-use space include: walk-in storage closet, laundry room, shower, home elevator access, pet room and mud room. Your garage could be the answer to many space and lifestyle needs.

Here is a garage project we did that completely changed the appearance of their home.  Have the Mosby architects and designers help you imagine the possibilities by calling 314.909.1800 or contacting us here.

“The Home Improvement Show with Scott Mosby”
Saturday, January 20, 2007, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Topic: Energy Efficiency

We’re taking your call during the show at 314.436.7900 or toll free at 1.800.925.1120.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

A short list of items that effect indoor air quality include:
Improper Ventilation
Malfunctioning Heating & Cooling Systems
Leaky Duct Work

Mold
Formaldehyde
Asbestos

Nitrus Oxides
Secondhand Tobacco Smoke
Pesticides
Radon

Click here for more information on Indoor Air Quality.

ESCALATING HEATING BILLS

Drafty rooms, erratic temperatures, moisture and mold problems mean you are not getting the comfort you pay for. Common fix-its for cold, drafty houses with high energy bills are adding more attic insulation or installing new windows. But these are outdated solutions that can actually cause new problems.

You must first identify the real cause of problems. A comprehensive Home Performance with Energy Star audit can identify ways to:

Eliminate drafts
Fix rooms that are too hot or too cold
Correct conditions that lead to mold or mildew
Ensure your combustion appliances are venting properly
Solve underlying problems that lead to rot or peeling paint
Keep outdoor pollutants from entering your home
Save energy and lower your monthly utility bills

TESTING YOUR HOME’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY

We arrange a time with you for the Energy Audit, which generally lasts 2-3 hours. The assessment will evaluate your heating and cooling equipment, insulation levels, and air infiltration.

We perform a number of tests on your home to determine what areas will benefit from energy efficiency upgrades. Specifically, we test for air leakage using a blower door, test for proper venting of combustion appliances, and will look monitor your home’s insulation and air infiltration levels with an infrared thermal gun.

We will explain how to correct identified problems and the cost of making the improvements, and we will do the work ourselves or oversee the proper specialists as needed.

There are some tax credits or federal funding available for qualified homes wanting to become energy efficient.

Click here for tax credit information.
Click here for funding programs.

Mosby Building Arts is Home Performance with Energy Star certified.
Click here for more Energy Star information.

We have just begun a new project in the Fountain Park neighborhood in North St. Louis city. The owners have lived in the stately, stone-faced house (built in 1893) for 30 years. Over the years, two 2^nd floor rooms were converted into a large master bedroom with a makeshift closet. Now, the owners are treating themselves to an official master suite. The space will be stripped down to the brick walls and studs, and new flooring, walling and bay windows will go in. It promises to be a dramatic and gratifying transformation.

It’s also exciting to be in this historic neighborhood. Fountain Park (the fountain is shown above) was first plotted in 1857, and landscaped by the City of St. Louis in the 1890s, which is also when most of the homes surrounding it were built.

This old postcard below shows a Fountain Park church just down the street from our project site:

The church was erected in 1895, and the original congregation was a merging of the Third Church with the Aubert Place Church. The Centennial Christian Church occupies it today.

And it’s this type of history in such a picturesque setting that makes this such an exciting project. Mosby gets to combine modern design and amenities with historic restoration sensitivities. Plus, after 30 years, the homeowners have decided that they – and their home – deserved a gorgeous new space. It’s all about living right!

Lights & Electric

• Leave a light turned on so you’ll know as soon as service is restored.
• Unplug most appliances and sensitive electronics while the power is out. Once power is restored, plug in and turn them on one at a time to avoid overloading your circuits or damaging your items.
• Be overly cautious with candles, fireplaces and wood-burning stoves.

Food Safety

• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
• Keeps Only For a Few Hours: Meats, eggs, many dairy products and items with those ingredients (mayonnaise, pizzas with meat, cookie dough) are especially risky.
• Keeps For A Few Days: Butter and margarine along with fresh fruit and vegetables, hard and processed cheeses, and opened jars of condiments and sauces.
• Frozen food can be stored outside, but watch for temperature changes.

Using a Portable Generator

• Be overly cautious with them because the exhaust fumes can be deadly.
• Don’t set them up inside and make sure there is plenty of ventilation.
• A carbon monoxide detector in the room nearest the generator can warn of dangerous fumes.
• Let generator cool before refueling.
• Keep the generator dry.

Plumbing

• Without Power for 1-2 Days: Let a few faucets drip water to keep pipes from freezing.
• Without Power for 3 or More Days: Drain your plumbing system. Shut the water off at your home’s main valve. Then drain water from all faucets on all levels of your home.
• Be sure to flush toilets twice to get water out of them. Then add a small amount of RV anti-freeze to the bowl. Use only RV anti-freeze.

Pets

• Bring pets inside.
• Keep your pets with you. If you evacuate your home, take pets with you.
• Beware of antifreeze and rock salt. Antifreeze smells and tastes good to pets, but is poisonous. Rock salt irritates animals’ footpads. Rinse and dry your pet’s feet after they’ve been outside.
• Pets may need extra food to keep warm in cold weather and extra water to stay hydrated. Keep an emergency stock of food and other supplies for your pet to last a few days.

Insurance

• Insurance should cover damages from fallen trees as well as for removal of the tree. Insurance won’t cover removal of fallen or damaged trees that don’t damage anything.
• Insurance probably won’t cover the cost of food spoiled by a power outage, but check with your agent.
• Insurance may pay for a hotel room if you are forced out of your home by damage. If your home wasn’t damaged, but you’re forced out because of power outage, insurance probably won’t pay for living expenses. Keep your receipts and check with your agent just in case.
• Keep records of your conversations with your insurance agent or company.

Winterizing Your Home for an Extended Leave

Be it a second home you close up for the winter or leaving your home unattended while on a winter vacation, here are tips to keep your home safe and healthy while its unoccupied.

• Turn off the hot water heater. It will need to drain when you drain the water pipes. Leaving it on will burn out the elements when there is no water.
• Blow out or drain the water pipes. Open up faucets so air can get in and let the water out of the pipes. Make sure you turn the water off before doing this.
• Turn the water off at the meter in addition to any shut off valve you may have.
• Flush toilets twice to drain them as much as possible, then put some antifreeze in the bowl because you can’t get all the water out. Use only RV waterline antifreeze that costs about a $1.99 a gallon.
• Empty the refrigerator, clean it, unplug it and leave the doors open. Cleaning it now will prevent mold from growing.
• Remove anything (food, plants, etc.) that might attract rodents.
• Put all towels and linens in large plastic containers to keep them clean and odor free.
• Cover mattresses with plastic or cheap tarps to keep mice from nesting in them.
• Shut off all electrical items, but not the main breaker.
• Leave the drapes open on windows that receive full sun. This helps warm the house naturally.
• Get to know year-round neighbors and ask them to keep an eye on your place. Make sure they have contact numbers for you. Also, make sure the local authorities have contact numbers for you.

“As I go through the aging process and notice my changing capabilities, I understand how important it is to empower people to live a productive life,” observes Scott Mosby. “I use every chance I get to promote the opportunity for people to think ahead in their lives and prepare their homes for all levels of ability and mobility.”

Because of this outlook, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Board of Governors of Certified Aging In Place Specialists (CAPS) have appointed Scott Mosby the CAPS Designee of the Year.

In a congratulatory phone call to Scott, Bill Owen (CAPS board chairman), said that in a year with a lot of great nominees, Scott was like “cream rising to the top with all your great endeavors” in promoting and educating both the industry and the public on Aging-In-Place and Universal Design.

There are 5 CAPS trained and certified people at Mosby Building Arts, and we are active in educating people on how to remain productive and happy in their own homes as their capabilities change with age and health.

Scott consistently spreads the knowledge on how to prepare your home to serve you forever through his company’s website, his KMOX radio show and public speaking at several home builders’ shows.

On February 7^th in Orlando, Florida, Scott will be presented with the CAPS Designee of the Year award during NAHB ceremonies at the 2007 International Builders’ Show. We at Mosby are so proud of Scott for earning this honor, and getting the chance to soak up some Florida sunshine in the middle of the winter!

“The Home Improvement Show with Scott Mosby”
Saturday, January 6, 2007, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Topic: Start 2007 By Attending To Home MaintenanceWe’re taking your calls during the show at 314.436.7900 or toll free at 1.800.925.1120

The discussion begins with items in your home that require your attention. Each month has unique maintenance issues.

HOME MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR JANUARY

• Organize and review warranties and product manuals for recommended maintenance. Mark your calendar to track scheduled upkeep and service.

• Fix squeaks in floors and stairs. Click for How-To Tips.

• Do a room-by-room inventory of everything in your house for insurance claim purposes (photograph or videotape this, if possible). Click for How-To Tips.

• Inspect insulation around all exterior water pipes to avoid air infiltration.

• Change or clean furnace filter. Learn more.

• Change water filters and service water softeners.

• Push the “test” button on bath and kitchen electrical outlets (GFCI). Then push “reset” button. Click for GFCI Outlet info.

Obtain your own copy of the Mosby Building Arts monthly home maintenance tips by clicking here. These tips can also be sent to you monthly when you sign up for the Mosby Newsletter.